Jeanette Clark

Food
The Noisy Oyster’s fun and flirty menu is indicative of the complete experience you will have when dining at this Paternoster mainstay. When last have you been confronted with foreplay (starters), intercourse (the naming convention chosen for the mains on offer), an afterglow (desserts) and spooning (fancy a cuppa to wrap it all up?) while having lunch or dinner? Our dining party started with a ménage à trois of a plate of three dips (the flavour balance in the pea and parmesan dip was divine) to share along with fleshy, fresh Saldanha Bay oysters – paired with a glass of bubbly. As you are simply a hop, skip and a jump away from the ocean, sticking with the seafood options for mains will serve you well. There is pan-roasted Panga with a medley of olives, capers, tomatoes, herbs and orange; saffron-spiced Mediterranean fish stew; clam linguini vongole baked in a paper bag and more in this category, but if you are all fished-out the menu caters with a variety of other dishes. Vegetarian selection is limited, but equally delectable.

Drinks
Reasonably priced, varied wine options from the region (with a significant number available per glass) will complement any choice you make from the menu.

Service
The service was quick and no-nonsense, considering that (like most evenings) The Noisy Oyster is fully-booked and buzzing. Blankets to ward off the nip in the air is a welcome touch.

Ambience
After a bit of renovation during the 2018 off season, the pebbled courtyard remains its charming self. Usually jam-packed with relaxed patrons, it still reminds of Mediterranean beach afternoons.

Best for…
Kicking back with a group of friends for boisterous fun and laughter.

(2018)

Eat Out critics dine anonymously and pay for their meals in full. Read our editorial policy here.